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Susan Hasl '12: Career, Family & Education

By Theresa Schmidt ‘09In a world that glorifies multitasking, nursing the seeds of lifelong learning and
the potential for educational growth amidst a multitude of other responsibilities
can be just as important and challenging as nursing others to complete physical health.
From her service in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps to her position as a Nursing
Recruiter for McKendree’s Kentucky campus from 2009-2012, Susan Hasl has done it all, inspiring others and pushing herself
to the peak of physical health and educational excellence. She explains, “My experience
as a recruiter allowed me to better understand the high degree of daily stress and
pressure many nurses face secondary to assuming multiple roles: parent, spouse, son/daughter,
caregiver to children and aging parents, chauffer, coach, etc. Returning to school
to complete a degree is a commitment not taken lightly by a select group of highly
motivated and dedicated registered nurses.”

"Susan knows ... the challenges of balancing career, family and education ..."

The mother of four children and a devoted wife of 23 years, Susan knows firsthand
the challenges of balancing career, family and education, having just completed her
Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN) through McKendree’s Kentucky campus in May 2012: “Shortly after I enrolled in the
graduate program, the Nursing Recruiter position became available. As a student and
employee, I found it much easier to ‘talk the talk’ because I was, indeed, ‘walking
the walk!’ Having this perspective increased my understanding of the complexities
inherent in juggling multiple roles and returning to school after many years in the
workforce.”

"... I was determined to become a nurse."

While the roads Susan travels have been difficult, choosing them has not: “From the
time of my childhood, I was determined to become a nurse. It was always my goal, and
perhaps, my ‘calling.’ After many years of being a member of the interdisciplinary
healthcare team, I discovered the inherent joys, as well as frustrations, of teaching.
In order to better prepare myself as an educator, I returned to school to obtain my
MSN. McKendree University offered an accredited nursing program with a sound curriculum; it was a clear choice.”

Susan quickly discovered that not only was McKendree’s Kentucky campus the clear choice,
but it was also the right one for her. She recalls, “My favorite course during my
graduate studies was NSG 616 – Practicum for Assessment and Evaluation in Nursing
Education. This course allowed me to implement a variety of teaching strategies appropriate
to content, setting, learner needs, learning style and desired learner outcomes while
using teaching strategies based on educational theory and evidence-based practices
related to education. Dr. Sharon Beasley gave us the necessary tools to ease the transition
from caregiver to educator.”

The Nursing Recruiter position at McKendree was yet another perfect fit. Susan says,
“The recruiter position fit me like a glove! I enjoyed being a representative of McKendree
University at on and off-campus recruitment events. Assuming responsibility for implementing
a comprehensive plan for the recruitment of undergraduate and graduate nursing students
was an extremely challenging and rewarding position! The employees of the Kentucky
and Illinois campuses are truly top-notch professionals who demonstrate strong communication
skills and high levels of creative energy.”

Susan found the Kentucky campus instructors to be equally welcoming and inspirational.
“Being enrolled at McKendree University has allowed me a distinct privilege of working
among an elite group of nursing educators,” she notes. “My vision is to become an
instructor of nursing at the university level and to serve as an effective role model
through demonstration of professional excellence. Each of my instructors displayed
an exemplary example of a commitment to lifelong learning. I, in turn, hope to model
their example in my future role as a nursing educator.”